Fit for Mercedes-Benz?

Top athletes know one thing for sure: no training, no medal. Suppliers of Mercedes-Benz Cars do have a new way to stay in shape: the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy.

No pain, no gain. Anyone who wants to achieve top performances in sports must train a lot. But quantity isn’t the only thing that counts. A sophisticated training schedule is just as important. The situation isn’t all that different for the suppliers of Mercedes-Benz Cars. Not only do they have to deliver the right quantity of components at the right time, but also with the right quality. Training is required to accomplish this. It has become apparent that especially new suppliers gladly accept assistance, generally, with regard to the training schedule, but also for the individual training sessions.

Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy is an initiative of Daimler AG. The aim of the Academy is to convey the expectations of Daimler as well as the methods and processes used in supplier management. Start was early in 2017. Training courses take place worldwide.

New: the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy

When automaker and supplier intend on treading a common path, there has to be a common basic understanding as the foundation. This is what the newly established Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy imparts. For Klaus Zehender, Member of the Divisional Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Procurement & Supplier Quality an important institution: “Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with top quality, so we have a need to partner with reliable suppliers. The targeted training courses organized by the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy provide a concise overview of the requirements, procedures and standards of our supplier management process.”

The basic training is primarily about quality-related processes and methods specific to Mercedes-Benz. From product creation to supplying samples. In addition, the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy also offers a broad range of in-depth expert knowledge such as software training. The training courses of the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy take place worldwide. In Stuttgart, Beijing, Shanghai, Detroit, Tuscaloosa, Mexico City and other cities. Always in the local language – the trainers are native speakers. Number of participants: a maximum of 15. An overview of the topics on offer can be found on the website of the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy. There you will find detailed descriptions of objectives, contents and durations of the training courses.

Training courses directly at the suppliers business place

The responses of the suppliers to the first training courses are positive. “This is the first time we are working with Mercedes-Benz. For our employees it was important to understand what the specific approach to the issue of maturity level is,” one new supplier responded. But suppliers who have been partners for many years also benefit from the Academy: “We use the offerings to refresh our employees’ knowledge. In addition, we appreciate the option of having the training courses conducted at our place of business as well.” The intent and purpose of the Mercedes-Benz Supplier Academy is therefore clear: Make fit, stay fit. Fit for the top quality of Mercedes-Benz.